Grapple.



G. W. GREBNHALGE' GRAPPLB.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12, 1911. 1,041,068, Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

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GRAPPLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.12,1911.

1,041,068. Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

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awowwtoz LULUMBIA PLANOORAPII CO" WASHINGTON. D. C.

' UNITED STATES PATENT UFFIGE.

CHARLES W. GREENHALGH, OF LOWELL, WASHINGTON.

GRAPPLE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES WV. GREEN- HALGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lowell, in the county of Snohomish and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grapples,.of which the following is a specification.

The invention relatesto hoisting hooks, and more particularly to the class of releasable releasing grapples.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a grapple of this character in which a load may be raised and transported from one point to another, and released for the deposit thereof at the desired point.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a grapple in which there is arranged a lock which will permit the positive holding of a load, and that will release the load when required, the lock being simple and devoid of complicated mechanism, thus enabling its convenient operation and quick action.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a grapple in which one of the jaws thereof is pivoted and is sustained in closed position by means of a lock which can be readily and quickly released for the opening of the movable jaw to permit a load to be deposited at the desired point, the grapple being especially adaptable for use on life boats, derricks, or in machine shops or other places.

A still further objectof the invention is the provision of a grapple which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a grapple constructed in accordance with the invention, the same being shown for holding a load. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the movable jaw being in open position and the lock releasing the same. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4l-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with one side broken away. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation with one side Specification of Letters Yatent.

Application filed August 12, 1911.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

Serial No. 643,728.

broken away showing the grapple closed and locked.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 1

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the grapple comprises a body 10 having formed at one end a circular eye 11, while at the opposite end is provided a hook-like stationary jaw 12, the body 11 being cut away intermediate the said eye and jaw to provide spaced parallel cheeks 13, between which is arranged the shank portion 1 1 of a movable hook-like jaw 15, which latter is arranged directly opposite the jaw 12, and is adapted to cooperate therewith for holding a load, the shank portion 14 being connected between the cheeks by means of a pivot 16 passed transversely through the cheeks and the said shank portion of the movable jaw. Thus, it will be seen that the said movable jaw may be opened and closed when desired.

Mounted in the body 10, between the cheeks 13 thereof, is a lock, comprising a lever or arm 17, the same being supported directly above the free end of the shank portion 1 1 of the movable jaw by a pivot pin 18 passed through the cheeks 13 and the said arm, the shank portion 11 being cut away to provide a recess 19 in which projects a trip nose or projection 20 formed on one end of the arm or lever 17, so that upon moving the latter in one direction, the nose or projection 20 will engage the shank portion 14 of the movable jaw for shifting it to open position.

The lower edge of the arm 17 is cut away to form a locking shoulder 21 which is adapted to engage with a keeper projection 22 formed on the free end of the shank portion 14 of the movable jaw, so as to sustain the said movable jaw in closed locked position, the shank portion, at its free end, and one edge of the lever or arm 17 being formed with cam surfaces 23 and 2-1, respectively, which are adapted to cooperate when the movable jaw 15 is being swung to closed position, so as to raise the armor lever 17, whereby the shoulder 21 will ride over the keeper nose or projection 22 for locking engagement therewith, the lever being lowered by gravity due to its own Weight, so that the locking shoulder 21 will engage the keeper projection 22, when the movable jaw has been swung to closed position relative to the stationary jaw.

Provided in the cheeks 13 of the body 10 are alining openings adapted to receive a retaining pin 26 which, when inserted in the openings 25, will lie across the upper edge of the arm or lever 17, thus holding it against movement when the locking shoulder 21 is engaged with the keeper projection 22 on the shank portion 14 of the movable jaw to prevent the accidental opening thereof. The pin 26 is connected with a chain 27 the same being also connected with the pivot pin 18 supporting the lever or arm 17. Thus, in this manner, when the pin 26 is removed from the openings 25 in the cheeks of the body 10, it cannot become displaced or lost.

Swingingly and detachably connected to the pivot pin 18 supporting the arm or lever 17, which is provided with the usual brake joint, is a supplemental hook 28, to which may be connected the sling rigging, and

. especially the fishing trawls. However, this hook 28 may be dispensed with, if desired. Formed in the outer periphery of the circular eye 11 is a guide groove 29, in which is disposed a releasing cable 30, one end of which is connected to a bail 31 engaging a pivot 32 mounted in the arm or lever 17, so that upon pulling upon the cable 80, the arm or lever 17 may be raised, thereby releasing the shank portion l i of the movable jaw, and as the lever or arm is raised, the trip nose or projection will act upon the shank portion 14, causing it to swing to open position, it being understood of course that the retaining pin 26 has been previously removed from the openings 25 in the cheeks 13 of the body 10 of the grapple, and in this manner the load carried thereby will be freed therefrom for its deposit at the desired point. The hook 28 in its outer side is provided with a suitable groove, in which is engaged the releasing cable when depending, so as to prevent the releasing cable from contacting with the side or end edge of the grapple, thus obviating interference with the same. The brake joint in the lever 17 permits the lowering of the outer end of the lever, thereby preventing the same from catching in anything, during the operation of the grapple.

Fixed to the outer periphery of the cir cular eye 11 and bridging the guide groove 29 therein is a shield strip 33 which prevents any possibility of the cable 80 running out of the said groove 29 when being pulled upon for the raising of the arm or lever 17 to release the movable jaw, the pull cable 80 being of any desired length, so that the operator may grip the same from any desirable point.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood, without requiring a more extended explanation.

What is claimed is:

1. A grapple, comprising a body having an eye terminal at one end, and a stationary hook at the opposite end, said body being cut away intermediate the hook and eye to provide spaced parallel cheeks, a movable jaw having a shank portion pivoted between the cheeks, a locking lever pivoted between the cheeks above the shank portion of the movable jaw and adapted for engagement with said shank portion to hold the movable jaw inclosed position, a trip nose formed on the locking lever and adapted to move the shank portion on the release thereof for swinging the movable aw in open position, and releasing means for operating the said locking lever.

2. A grapple, comprising a body having an eye terminal at one end, and a stationary hook at the opposite end, said body being cut away'intermediate the hook and eye to provide spaced parallel cheeks, a movable jaw having a shank portion pivoted between the cheeks, a locking lever pivoted between the cheeks above the shank portion of the movable jaw and adapted for engagement with said shank portion to hold the movable jaw in closed position, a trip nose formed on the locking lever and adapted to move the shank portion on the release thereof for swinging the movable jaw in open position, and releasing means for operating the said locking lever.

3. A. grapple, comprising a body having an eye terminal at one end, and a stationary hook at the opposite end, said body being cut away intermediate the hook and eye to provide spaced parallel cheeks, a movable jaw having a shank portion pivoted between the cheeks, a locking lever pivoted between the cheeks above the shank portion of the movable jaw and adapted for engagement. with said shank portion to hold the movable jaw in closed position, a trip nose formed on the locking lever and adapted to move the shank portion on the release thereof for swinging the movable jaw in open position, and releasing means for operating the said locking lever, the said eye terminal being formed with an external guide groove for receiving the said releasing means.

4. A grapple, comprising a body having an eye terminal at one end, and a stationary hook at the opposite end, said body being cut away intermediate the hook and eye to provide spaced parallel cheeks, a movable jaw having a shank portion pivoted between the cheeks, a locking lever pivoted between the cheeks above the shank portion of the movable jaw and adapted for engagement with said shank portion to hold the movable jaw in closed position, a trip nose formed on the locking lever and adapted to In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES W. GREENHALGH.

move the shank portion on the release thereof for swinging the movable jaw in open position, releasing means for operating the said locking lever, the said eye terminal being formed With an external guide groove for receiving the said releasing means, and means for holding the releasing means in the guide groove.

Witnesses:

E. W. HOUSON, ARTHUR COLEMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, I). G. 

